ABSTRACT
The Isma‘ili movement undoubtedly owed much of its success to its efficient and competent missionaries, who are referred to in the general Arabic sources as da‘is, and in some of the Isma‘ili sources as ulama (sing. alim); learned men or teachers. However, these terms were loosely used, and the word da‘i could be applied to any active supporter of the rights of Ali’s heir to the spiritual leadership of the Muslims.
